Dear Friends,

In February, IDC continued its effort to establish relationships with freshman members of Congress, with particular attention to new members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.  Thus far, IDC has successfully secured the co-sponsorship of five House Members in support of H.Res.82, in support of Christians in Nigeria.  IDC has also been hard at work urging Members of Congress to support H.Res.108, condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

On February 8, following the catastrophic earthquake that struck areas in Turkey and Syria, IDC issued a press release calling on the Biden Administration to consider all means available to deliver humanitarian aid for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria.  IDC made clear that the earthquake has devastated civilians, not governments. We pressed the U.S. government that a natural disaster of this magnitude must be responded to with the utmost urgency and human compassion.  On February 9, the U.S. Treasury Department granted temporary (6 months) relief of sanctions for the purpose of humanitarian aid.

IDC will be launching a monthly "Learn at Lunch" seminar series to raise awareness of the persecution faced by Christians and other religious minorities across the Middle East and Africa.  All are welcome to attend and learn more about the specific challenges faced by persecuted minorities in the region.  The first seminar will be on Thursday, March 30 at 1 PM (ET), and will investigate the demographic decline of Christians in Iraq over the past two decades, and what is preventing their return.

IDC is excited to launch its podcast, In the Middle: A Podcast on Christianity in the Middle East, where we'll explore questions of history, religion, culture, and policy that affects the ancient and indigenous Christian communities of the Middle East.  In the Middle set to launch this month on all major podcast platforms, with new episodes dropping monthly. For a sneak peek, click here for listen to the trailer.

In Defense of Christians (IDC) is accepting applications for the Kazma Internship at its Washington, DC headquarters office.  The Kazma Internship Program is tailored to undergraduate and graduate students, and young professionals, who are interested in matters of religious freedom, advocacy and foreign policy.  To learn more about the internship, and how to apply, please click here.

Sincerely,

Richard Ghazal

Executive Director

IDC met with various members of Congress to advocate for support to H.Res.82, in support of Christians in Nigeria.  Thus far, IDC has successfully secured the co-sponsorship of five House Members, most recent of whom include Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and Rep. Jake LaTurner.

In February, IDC met with Rep. William Huizenga (R-MI), Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA), Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Chuck Edwards (R- NC), and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).

IDC has also urged Members of Congress to support H.Res.108, condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

IDC will be launching a monthly "Learn at Lunch" seminar series to raise awareness of the persecution faced by Christians and other religious minorities across the Middle East and Africa.  All are welcome to attend and learn more about the specific challenges faced by persecuted minorities in the region.

The first seminar will be on Thursday, March 30 at 1:00 PM (EST), and will investigate the demographic decline of Christians in Iraq over the past two decades, and what is preventing their return. 

Press Release: IDC Calls on the Biden Administration to Expand Humanitarian Aid for Earthquake Relief in Turkey and Syria

On February 8, following the catastrophic earthquake that struck areas in Turkey and Syria, IDC issued a press release calling on the Biden Administration to consider all means available to deliver humanitarian aid for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria through vetted NGOs, civil society organizations, churches and other faith-based organizations on the ground. 

IDC made clear that the earthquake has devastated civilians--not governments--and in the face of such human tragedy the international community should not condition humanitarian support on a political litmus test.  According to IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal, “a natural disaster of this magnitude must be responded to with the utmost urgency and human compassion." 

Response from U.S. Government 

Following IDC's call for expanded humanitarian aid to Syria, the U.S. Treasury Department granted temporary relief of sanctions for the purpose of humanitarian aid.   IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal praised Treasury's decision stating, the "U.S. Treasury Department’s grant of a general license to authorize earthquake relief in Syria is a welcome development, and indeed a testament to what makes America great. Hopefully this relief is felt on the ground by the affected civilians.”